Interlocking tie strip

ABSTRACT

A one piece interlocking tie strip for use in securing plants, packages and the like. The strip is provided in one of several embodiments each of which incorporates spaced perforations located longitudinally along the tie strip with repetitive spacing relationships. In one embodiment perforations are located along each lateral edge and define complementary interlockable Tshaped cutouts and T-shaped tabs. In another embodiment perforations of two different types alternate along the longitudinal axis of the strip and are located intermediate the edges of the strip, such alternate perforations having a complementary configuration to provide an interlock when one portion of the strip is longitudinally or laterally overlaid on another remote portion of the strip. Duplicate arrangements of the spaced, alternating, interlockable perforations of the second embodiment, the perforations being located along each lateral edge of the strip, are also utilized in a third embodiment.

United States Patent [1 1 Bach [451 July 10, 1973 v INTERLOCKING TIESTRIP [76] Inventor: William C. Bach, 446 San Vincente Boulevard, Apt.105, Santa Monica, Calif. 90402 [22] Filed: Oct. 26, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 192,292

[52] US. Cl. 24/16 PB, 24/20 EB [51] Int. Cl. 24 30.5, B65d 63/12 [58]Field of Search 24/16 PB, 30.5 P, 24/30.5 S, 20 EB [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 161,409 3/1875 I-lardman 24/20 EE 180,910 8/1876Olmsted 24/20 EE 184,397 11/1876 Macumber 24/20 EE 518,767 4/1894Plecker 24/20 EE R26,l57 2/ 1967 Tinnerman 24/20 EE FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 346,341 3/1931 Great Britain 24/16 PB 1,344,200 10/1963France 24/16 PB Primary Examiner-James T. McCall AssistantExaminer-Kenneth .l. Dorner Attorney-Richard J. Ward, .lr., Walter G.Maxwell et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A one piece interlocking tie strip for use in securingplants, packages and the like. The strip is provided in one of severalembodiments each of which incorporates spaced perforations locatedlongitudinally along the tie strip with repetitive spacingrelationships. In one embodiment perforations are located along eachlateral edge and define complementary interlockable T- shaped cutoutsand T-shaped tabs. In another embodiment perforations of two differenttypes alternate along the longitudinal axis of the strip and are locatedintermediate the edges of the strip, such alternate perforations havinga complementary configuration to provide an interlock when one portionof the strip is longitudinally or laterally overlaid on another remoteportion of the strip. Duplicate arrangements of the spaced, alternating, interlockable perforations of the second embodiment, theperforations being located along each lateral edge of the strip, arealso utilized in a third embodiment.

8 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PA-TENTED JUL 1 0 I973 amen;

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Ill

Illlli INTERLOCKING TIE STRIP DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Thisinvention relates to ties for plants, packages and the like and moreparticularly relates to a tie having integral interlocking means foreffecting a secure, locking engagement when portions are arranged in anoverlapping relationship with respect to one another.

Tie strips have been utilized in a number of applications, e.g.,supporting garden plants. Various embodiments of these tie strips existincluding strips having a wire reinforcement in a paper or plasticcovering. In use the strip is cut to length and looped around the plantand a stake which is to support the plant and the ends of the tie stripare twisted to accomplish locking. Such strips are somewhatunsatisfactory to handle for the reason that the wire at each end of thestrip has a tendency to extend beyond its covering and it is possible toprick a finger.

Other forms of tie strips have also been used in such applicationsincluding but not limited to belts, cables, clamps, hook and eyefasteners and simple ribbons. All suffer from the similar disadvantagesin that to obtain their securing function the strip has to be twistedand knotted or tied.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides aself-locking tie strip which comprises a length of relatively thinflexible material. The strip or length of material has a plurality ofperforations'which extend longitudinally of the material with theperformations having a predetermined configuration and location relativeto the longitudinal axis of the strip. Each of the perforations have apredetermined spacing relative to the immediately adjacent perforationswhereby a plurality of cooperating tabs and slots are defined along thelength of the strip such that when one portion is overlapped uponanother portion the tabs and slots are mutually engageable to produce aninterlock between said portions of the strip. An enclosure is defined bythe portion of the strip located intermediate the points of overlap.

In addition to its primary function as a plant tying device, the presentinvention, depending on the width, thickness and type of perforationsselected, has many additional applications such as use in wrapping ofgift packages and for decoration. When used with similar strips, thestrips can be intertwined to produce a woven item. In its presentlypreferred embodiment, the strip is a plastic continuous length ofmaterial that will interlace either longitudinally or laterally and isdesigned to tie and lock on itself without imposing tension on thematerial. It is provided in ribbon form and of a stiffness and thicknesswhich allows the various tabs formed by the perforations to snap back inplace after the tab is forced through the complementary apertureprovided for receiving the tab. The result is an interlock between taband aperture.

The result is a tie suitable for a number of applications, includingplant ties and package wrapping, having the advantage of being quicklyand easily secured in position with a loop or enclosure drawn to thedesired size, a snap tab form of interlock whereby the overlappingportions of the strip are quickly and easily secured and a device whichis also equally easily snapped open to permit untieing once the supportor tieing function of the tie strip is no longer needed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other advantages of the presentinvention will be better understood by reference to the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the tie strip according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an edge'view of the strip of FIG. 1 illustrat ing theconfiguration of the strip during the interlocking operation;

FIG. 3 is an edge view of the strip shown in FIG. 2 in which theinterlock is completed;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a first alternate embodiment of the tie stripaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an edge view of the strip of FIG. 4 shown in an interlockconfiguration;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of still another alternate embodiment of the stripaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the strip of FIG. 6 illustrating a lateralinterlock configuration;

FIGS. 8A through 815 illustrate apertures suitable for use in a tiestrip according to the present invention; and

, FIGS. 9A through 9E illustrate tabs having complementaryconfigurations for interlocking with the respective tabs of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 there isshown therein an embodiment 10 of the strip according to the presentinvention'in its overlapped and interlocked configuration. Thisembodiment 10 comprises a strip of material 12 having a plurality ofT-shaped tabs 14 extending away from a main body portion of the strip16. Tabs 14 are located along each lateral edge of the strip andadjacent tabs define spaced T-shaped perforations 18 at uniformintervals along the extent of the strip.

To longitudinally interlock the ends of the strip, the free ends areoverlapped and the flanges 20 of one of the tabs 14 is centered over aT-shaped perforation 18 as shown in FIG. 2. The corresponding tabs 20 ofthe upper overlapping portion are flexed upwardly and the mating tabsdefining the T-shaped perforation on the overlapped underlying portionof the strip are flexed downwardly to permit the tab to be bent downsuch that the upper tabs can be slipped past and underneath the lowertabs 22 to obtain an interlock condition. In the locked configurationshown in FIG. 3, the lower overlapped portion remains flat while'theupper overlapping portion has the neck 24 of the T-shaped tabs bent downand extending through the slot 26 defined by the flanges of the T-shapedperforation, such that the strip is completely interlocked. When tabsare provided on both sides of the longitudinal extent of the strip, asin the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, the interlock is obtained along eachedge of the strip. The result is an enclosure such as is shown in FIG. 3capable of being looped around a stake and a plant, a package or thelike.

An alternate embodiment of the strip of FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown in FIG. 4in plan view. Again the strip is shown in its overlapped configurationpreparatory to being interlocked. The embodiment comprises a strip 28having a plurality of registration notches 30 located along each lateraledge of the strip. Extending longitudinally and located generally in thecenter of the strip are a series of alternately spaced crosses 32 andrectangular apertures 34. It is the complementary shape of the crossesand rectangles that provides the interlocking feature for the embodimentas shown in FIGS. 4

- and 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, the edge view of the strip of FIG. 4 in itsinterlocked configuration, the alignment of the registration notches 30is shown as is the extension of the neck 36 of each cross 32 throughaperture 34 such that the flanges 38 of each cross extend beyond theperimeter of rectangle 34 to provide the interlock. Depending upon theextent of the overlap of the strip portions, a plurality of two or threecrosses can be so engaged with the apertures in the strip.

Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6, this beingan embodiment in which the strip is shown before overlap. In this casethe strip 38 comprises a series of spaced perforations extendinglaterally along each edge of the strip immediately interiorly ofregistration notches 40. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, theperforations are provided in two alternate forms; a rectangle 42enclosing a T-shaped tab 44 which is alternately spaced with a square46. The strip of the present embodiment is shown in its overlapped andinterlocked condition in FIG. 7 and as illustrated therein, the overlapis lateral rather than longitudinal. Interlock of the two overlappingportions of the strip is obtained by depressing the T-shaped tabs 44through the square apertures 46 until such time as the flanges 48 and 50of each of the T-shaped tabs extend beyond the perimeter of the squareaperture 46. The neck 52 of tab 44 then extends down through theapertures defined by squares 46.

In FIG. 8 are shown a number of possible configurations of apertureswhich can be provided in the interlocking tie strip according to thepresent invention and opposite each of said apertures is a correspondingtab shown in FIG. 9 which complements the aperture and provides aninterlocking feature. Shown in FIGS. 8A, B, C, D and E respectively area square 54, a circle 56, a cross 58, a diamond 60 and a scallopedcircle 62. Shown in FIG. 9 is a cross-shaped tab 64, a diamondshaped tab66, a T-shaped tab 68, a circular-shaped tab 70 and a triagularscalloped tab 72. Addition to the mating configuration of thecorresponding apertures and tabs in FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively, it willbe obvious to one skilled in the art that the various tabs shown inFIGS. 9 can be utilized with other apertures of FIG. 8 provided anoverlap exists between the outline of the two shapes in question suchthat an interlocked configuration results. 7 i

What is claimed is:

l. A self-locking tie strip comprising:

a length of relative thin flexible material;

a plurality of perforations in the flexible material extendinglongitudinally of the strip of material, said perforations having apredetermind configuration and location relative to the longitudinalaxis of the strip of material, each of said perforations having apredetermined spacing relative to the adjacent perforations, saidperforations defining alternating flexible tabs and openings locatedalong the length of the strip of material such that-when a tabcontaining portion of the strip is overlapped upon an opening containingportion of the strip, the flexible tab and opening is mutuallyengageable to produce an overlapping longitudinal and transverseinterlock between said portions of the strip and an enclosure defined bythe portion of the strip located intermediate the points of overlap.

2. A strip according to claim 1 wherein each perforation is identical inoutline and is located adjacent a lateral edge of the strip of material.

3. A strip according to claim 2 wherein the perforations are T-shaped inconfiguration and extend inwardly from each lateral edge of the stripwhereby T- shaped flaps are produced which extend outwardly from themain longitudinally extending body portion of the strip and are disposedtransversely of the longitudinal axis of the strip.

4. A strip according to claim 1 wherein said tabs and openings comprisetwo different mutually cooperating outlines.

5. A strip according to claim 4 wherein the openings and cooperatingtabs defined by said perforations are located along a lateral edge ofthe strip.

6. A strip according to claim 4 wherein said perforations are locatedgenerally along the longitudinal axis of the strip of material.

7. A strip according to claim 4 wherein said tab outlines have a firstpredetermined geometric shape.

8. A strip according to claim 4 wherein said opening outlines have asecond predetermined geometric shape such that when engaged with aflexbile tab of said first predetermined shape, the tab overlaps theopening.

1. A self-locking tie strip comprising: a length of relatively thinflexible material; a plurality of perforations in the flexible materialextending longitudinally of the strip of material, said perforationshaving a predetermined configuration and location relative to thelongitudinal axis of the strip of material, each of said perforationshaving a predetermined spacing relative to the adjacent perforations,said perforations defining alternating flexible tabs and openingslocated along the length of the strip of material such that when a tabcontaining portion of the strip is overlapped upon an opening containingportion of the strip, the flexible tab and opening is mutuallyengageable to produce an overlapping longitudinal and transverseinterlock between said portions of the strip and an enclosure defined bythe portion of the strip located intermediate the points of overlap. 2.A strip according to claim 1 wherein each perforation is identical inoutline and is located adjacent a lateral edge of the strip of material.3. A strip according to claim 2 wherein the perforations are T-shapEd inconfiguration and extend inwardly from each lateral edge of the stripwhereby T-shaped flaps are produced which extend outwardly from the mainlongitudinally extending body portion of the strip and are disposedtransversely of the longitudinal axis of the strip.
 4. A strip accordingto claim 1 wherein said tabs and openings comprise two differentmutually cooperating outlines.
 5. A strip according to claim 4 whereinthe openings and cooperating tabs defined by said perforations arelocated along a lateral edge of the strip.
 6. A strip according to claim4 wherein said perforations are located generally along the longitudinalaxis of the strip of material.
 7. A strip according to claim 4 whereinsaid tab outlines have a first predetermined geometric shape.
 8. A stripaccording to claim 4 wherein said opening outlines have a secondpredetermined geometric shape such that when engaged with a flexible tabof said first predetermined shape, the tab overlaps the opening.